Spreader for concrete forms



SFREADER FOR CONCRETE FORMS Filed March ll, 1937 Patented Aug. 1, 1939 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE I SPREADER FOR CONCRETE FORMS United States Application March 11,

2 Claims.

The present invention relates generally to spreaders for spacing and also holding against inward movement or collapse forms for concrete walls or like structures. More particularly the invention relates to that type of spreader which is adjustable in length and comprises an extensible spreader member which is adapted to be placed in a substantially horizontal position between the forms and to be removed from its operative position just before the concrete reaches it, that is, rises to the level of the member during the concrete pouring operation.

One object of the invention is to provide a spreader of this type which is an improvement upon, and may be placed in and removed from its operative position more readily than, previously designed spreaders of the same general character and for the same purpose.

Another object of the invention is to provide a spreader of the type and character under consideration in which the extensible spreader member embodies at one end thereof a nail carrying bracket for abutment against and attachment to one of the forms and is provided at its other end with a shoe which has a flat face for abutment against the other form and is pivotally connected to the spreader member in such a manner that when the end of the member with which it is associated is tilted or swung upwards in order to release the bracket in connection with removal of the spreader from its operative position the flat face thereof is free to tilt and hence slides upwardly in parallel relation with the adjacent face of the form and neither impedes removal of the spreader nor digs into the form.

Another object of the invention is to provide a spreader of the last mentioned character in which the extensible spreader member is provided at its shoe carrying end with an upwardly extending bail whereby it may be gripped by a hook or a like implement and swung or tilted upwards in connection with removal from its operative position.

A further object of the invention is to provide a spreader of the aforementioned type in which the spreader member is in the form of a pair of telescopically connected pipe sections and embodies simple means for locking the sections together after sliding adjustment thereof.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a spreader which is generally of new and improved construction and not only is efflcient in operation but also may be produced at .a low and reasonable cost.

55 Other objects of the invention and the various 1937, Serial N0. 130,259

advantages and characteristics of the present spreader will be apparent from a consideration of the following detailed description.

The invention consists in the several novel features which are hereinafter set forth and are more particularly dened by claims at the conclusion hereof.

In the drawing which accompanies and forms a part of this specication or disclosure and in which like numerals of reference denote corresponding parts throughout the several views:

Figure 1 is a vertical sectional View showing a pair of laterally spaced wall forming forms with a spreader embodying the invention therebetween;

Figure 2 is a perspective of the spreader;

Figure 3 is a horizontal longitudinal sectional view illustrating the design and construction of the pipe sections which constitute the extensible spreader member and showing the manner in which the shoe is pivotally supported with respect to the member;

Figure 4 is a transverse sectional view on the line 4 5.. of Figure 3; and

Figure 5 is a perspective of the split ring and sleeve which constitute a part of the means for locking together the pipe sections.

The spreader which is shown in the drawing constitutes the preferred embodiment of the invention. It comprises an extensible spreader p member 6, a bracket l, a shoe 8, and a bail 9, and is illustrated or shown in Figure 1 of the drawing in connection with a pair of wall forming forms F and F1. The latter are disposed in laterally spaced relation and are adapted to have concrete poured therebetween for wall forming purposes. The spreader, as hereinafter described, serves as a spacer for and to prevent collapse of the forms F and F1.

The spreader member G is adapted when in its operative position to extend substantially horizontally and consists of a pair of telescopically connected pipe sections I0 and l l and a clamping device or means I2 for securing the sections in their various adjusted positions. The pipe section iii supports the bracket 'l at its outer end. The inner or other end of the pipe section I0 fits slidably within one end of the pipe section Il. The other or outer end of the pipe section ll supports the shoe 8. The extreme inner end of the pipe section I0 is bent or flared outwards to form an out-turned annular flange I3 which engages slidably the inner periphery of the pipe section Il. With the exception of this flange I3 the pipe section ylli! is of uniform external and internal diameter from end to end. The outer end of the pipe section I0 is closed by means of a disk-like plug I4. This plug is formed of cork or any other suitable material and serves to prevent concrete from flowing into the extensible spreader member 6 via the outer end of the pipe section I0. The pipe section II of the spreader 6 em,- bodies an external screw thread I5 at its inner end and is shaped at its outer end to form a pair of laterally spaced ears I6. The outer end of the pipe section I I is closed or sealed by means of a disk-like plug I'I which is disposed inwardly of the ears I6 and like the plug I4 is formed of cork or like material. The pipe section II with the exception of the outer end part which is shaped to form the ears I6 is of uniform external and internal diameter from end to end. The ears I6 straddle the shoe 8 and are spaced apart a distance slightly less than the internal diameter of the pipe section II. The base or inner end portions of the ears are angularly disposed and form shoulders I8 which prevent outward displacement of the plug I'I with respect to the pipe section II. The clamping device or means I2 for locking the two pipe sections in their Various adjusted positions consists of a nut I9, a split ring 20, and a sleeve 2I. The nut I9 is mounted on the inner end of the pipe section II and has an internal screw thread 22. The latter fits around the external screw thread I5 and coacts with the latter to move the nut I9 axially when it is turned or rotated. The nut I9 embodies an inwardly extending flange 23 and is hexagonal as far as its outer periphery is concerned so that it may be gripped and rotated by a wrench or similar turning tool. The flange 23 has a tapered inner face and defines a circular hole 24. The piper section I8 of the spreader member 6 extends through and slides Within this hole. The ring 23 surrounds the pipe section I0 and is confined within the nut I9 and between the flange 23 and the sleeve 2|. It embodies a bead-like part 25 and a collar part 26. The sleeve 2I surrounds the collar part 26 of the split ring 20 and ts within the inner end of the p-ipe section II. It coacts with the flange 23 to contract the ring 20 when the nut I9 is tightened and embodies an outwardly extending flared flange 21. The latter engages the inner end edge of the pipe section II and ts against one side portion of the beadlike part 26 of the split ring. The other side of this bead-like part is engaged by the flange 23 of the nut. When the nut is tightened the flange 23 moves toward lthe flange 2l of the sleeve 2| and the bead-like part 25 of the ring is clamped between the two flanges and due to the angularity or shape of the latter is contracted into clamped relation with the pipe section IIJ. When it is in its clamped position the ring serves to hold the pipe section I9 against axial movement with respect to the pipe section II. When the nut I9 is loosened the ring 2i] expands and permits the pipe section I0 to be slid to or from the pipe section II. Because it is formed of the pipe sections IIl and II and includes the clamping device or means I2 the spreader member Ii is extensible and merely by manipulation of the nut I9 may be set or adjusted properly to t between the forms.

The bracket I is adapted to abut against the form F and to be attached to the latter by means of a pair of nails 28. It is in the form of a onepiece metal stamping and comprises an abutment forming part 29 and a collar 30. The collar 30 is formed integrally with and extends inwardly from www. ...ttt

the central portion of the abutment forming part 29 and surrounds and is welded or otherwise fixedly secured to the outer end of the pipe section I0 of the extensible spreader member 6. The abutment forming part 29 of the bracket is substantially flush with the outer end edge of the pipe section I0 and has a pair of holes 3I in the side portions thereof for the nails 28. It also has diagonally extending ribs 32 for reinforcing purposes and straight horizontally extending top and bottom edges. The holes 3| are positioned one diametrically opposite the other and midway between the straight top and bottom edges of the abutment forming part 29 of the bracket 'I and are located a sullicient distance from the collar 30 so that the nails 28 when inserted therein may be readily driven into the form F. The spreader is removed from its operative position between the forms F and Fl by swinging upwardly the shoe supporting or equipped end of the extensible spreader member 6. During upward swinging of this end of the member the bracket I fulcrums about the straight top edge of its abutment forming part 29 and the nails 28 because they are positioned beneath the top edge of the part 29 are automatically stripped or pulled from the form F.

The shoe 8 is in the form of a wheel and is rotatably mounted on a stud 33 between the ears I6 at the outer end of the pipe section II of the extensible spreader member 6. It embodies a hub 34 and has a hexagonal outer rim in order to form or provide a plurality of at abutment forming faces 35. The stud 33 extends through and forms a bearing for the hub 34 of the wheel type shoe. The ends of the stud project through a pair of aligned holes 36 in the ears I6 and embody rivet type heads 3l. The latter coact with washers 38 on the outer ends of the stud to hold the stud against axial displacement with respect to the ears. When the spreader is in its operative position between the two forms F and F1 the wheel is positioned or disposed so that one of the faces 35 on the rim thereof fits or abuts against the form F1. When the spreader is removed by swinging upwards the shoe equipped end of the extensible spreader member 6 the face which abuts against the form F1 slides upwards in parallel relation with the adjacent face of the form until it moves out of engagement with such face. This sliding action is attributable to the fact that the wheel is rotatably supported or mounted. Due to the fact that the Wheel is rotatably mounted, the aforesaid face does not dig into the form F1 and hence facilitates removal of the spreader.

The bail 9 overlies the wheel formed shoe 8 and is adapted to be gripped or engaged by a hook (see Figure l) in connection with removal of the spreader from its operative position. The ends of the bail t between the ends of the hub 34 of the shoe and the inner faces of the ears I6 of the pipe section I I of the extensible spreader member 6 and have aligned apertures 39 therein through which the ends of the stud 33 extend. The heads 3l are preferably so spaced apart that they urge the ears I6 inwards and cause the latter to clamp the ends of the bail 9 against the ends of the hub 34 of the shoe B. By so spacing the heads at the Vends of the stud the shoe and bail are frictionally held in place and tend to remain in the various positions into which they are shifted.

In applying the spreader to the forms F and F1 the spreader member 6 is first adjusted or set so that the space or distance between the abutment forming part 29 of the bracket I and the outer vertical face of the wheel formed shoe 8 is the same as the space between the two forms. Adjustment of the member 6 is effected by loosening the nut I2 and sliding the two pipe sections l0 and Il either toward or away from one another and then tightening the nut so as to cause the split ring 20 to contract and lock the two pipe sections against relative axial or longitudinal displacement. After effecting the proper or desired adjustment the member 6 is slid or moved downwards between the two forms F and F1. As soon as the spreader is disposed at the proper level the nails 23 are driven through the holes 3| and into the form F. This effects attachment of the bracket 'l to the form F and result in the bracket holding the member 6 in place with the outer vertical face of the shoe 8 in Contact or abutting relation with the inner face of the form F1. The spreader is left in place until during the concrete pouring operation the concrete rises to a point directly beneath the extensible spreader member 6. When the concrete reaches this point or level the bail 9 is engaged from above by a hook and lifted upwards so as to swing upwards the shoe carrying or equipped end of the member 6. During such upward swinging movement the outer vertical face of the shoe slides upwards in parallel relation with the inner face of the slide and the bracket 'l at the outer end of the pipe member I0 fulcrums about the straight top edge of the abutment forming part 29 and effects an automatic withdrawal of the nails 28. Sliding of the outer vertical face of the shoe 8 in parallel relation with the inner face of the form F1 is attributable to the fact that the shoe is free to rotate, as hereinbefore pointed out. Because of the rotating action of the shoe but a comparatively small force` need be employed in effecting upward tilting of the extensible spreader member 6 in connection with removal of the spreader from its operative position.

The herein described spreader consists of but a small number of parts and hence may be manufactured at a low and reasonable cost. It eifectively and eiiciently fulfills its intended purpose and due to its construction and design permits oi ready removal from its operative position.

Whereas the spreader has been described in connection with a pair of wall forming forms F and F1 it is to be understood it may be used generally as a spreader and in connection with other types of forms. It is also to be understood that the invention is not to be restricted to the details set forth, since these may be modified within the scope of the appended claims, without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Having thus described the invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. As a new article of manufacture, a spreader adapted to space apart and prevent collapse of a pair of laterally spaced forms and comprising an elongated spreader member adapted to extend horizontally between the forms when in its operative position and provided at one end thereof with means for temporary attachment to the adjacent form and at its other end with a pair of laterally spaced ears and a stud between and carried by said ears, a wheel type shoe with a polygonal rim adapted to have one face of the rim abut against the other form and rotatably mounted on the stud so that said one face adapts itself to said other form and also slides upwards in parallel relation with the latter during upward swing of said other end of the member in connection with removal of the spreader member, and a bail for a spreader member removing hook, having the ends thereof pivotally mounted on the stud and disposed in straddled relation with the shoe.

2. As a new article of manufacture, a spreader adapted to space apart and prevent collapse of a pair of laterally spaced forms and comprising an elongated spreader member adapted to extend horizontally between the forms when in its operative position and consisting of a pair of telescopically connected pipe sections and means for releasably locking the sections against relative axial movement, a bracket at the outer end of one of the pipe sections adapted to abut against one of the forms and having a hold through which a nail may be driven into said one form for attaching purposes, a pair of laterally spaced ears connected to and projecting outwardly from the outer end of the other pipe section and having a Stud eX- tending between and carried by them and a shoe provided with a flat face for abutment against lthe other form and movably mounted on the stud so that the flat face thereof adapts itself to said other form and also slides upwards in parallel relation with the latter during canting of the spreader member in connection with its removal.

BROR HILLBERG. 

